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Microsoft Office Formats Not Really Being Opened

Contradicting this earlier article claiming otherwise, smith_barney writes "Contrary to reports, Microsoft is not opening up its proprietary Office XML schemas. Essentially, the state of Massachusetts is simply repositioning what it considers an 'open format.' According to a report in BetaNews, Microsoft told the state it would ease licensing restrictions, but only for 'end users who merely open and read government documents.' This hasn't stopped Microsoft from tooting its horn, but Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox says, 'Buzz about so-called open formats is little more than PR FUD.'"

17 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. Open? by TheKidWho · · Score: 3, Funny

    Nothing for you to see here. Please move along

    That is probablly what your going to get when you try to work with one of these "open" formats from MS.

    1. Re:Open? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Nope it would be

      Nothing for you to see here. Please purchase Microsoft Office 2005 in order to view this document.

  2. In other news by jb.hl.com · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bush not really a Muslim.
    Babies not really delivered by storks.
    Bears do not actually have modern sanitation.

    --
    By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
    1. Re:In other news by TheKidWho · · Score: 4, Funny

      phew, at least Santa is still real!

    2. Re:In other news by sharkey · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah, but he's dead. Bun-bun killed him, remember?

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  3. Heh... by g33ker · · Score: 5, Funny

    Looks like an 'open and shut' case to me...

  4. "open" is a four letter word by wowbagger · · Score: 5, Funny

    "open" is a four letter word, and to Mr. Gates, it is an obscene four letter word.

  5. [tt] Closed format? by daniil · · Score: 4, Funny

    If this is their understanding of an open format, then what would a closed format be in Microsoft's book? A write-only one?

    --
    Man is a slave because freedom is difficult, whereas slavery is easy.
  6. Joke is joke by michelcultivo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft is joking with us again or we are joking with ourself on beliving this?

  7. huh? by kennycoder · · Score: 1, Funny

    Office can't open its own formats? Thats insane!
    Try like ctrl-o (or File->Open)
    Might work ;)

    --
    Fucking a fat girl is like riding a scooter... it's fun 'til someone sees you.
  8. Procedure to OPEN an Office 2k3 document by faramir_fr · · Score: 2, Funny

    1) crawl to the File menu
    2) click on Open document
    3) select a document

    Voila... the document is now open. Yes it's THAT simple.

    1. Re:Procedure to OPEN an Office 2k3 document by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Voila... the document is now open. Yes it's THAT simple.

      It didn't work...now what?

  9. Office XML Documenation by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny


    <office>??????????????</office>
    </xml>

    The MS Office open XML file format consists of an XML branch, followed by an Office branch.
    Unfortunately, due to the complexities of parsing this branch, it should be passed directly as a parameter into our improved Office ActiveX object.
    We are currently developing an addin for firefox as well.

    Thank you for looking at this documentation, that will be all.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:Office XML Documenation by winterlens · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm sorry, don't you mean:

      <xml>
      <office>???</office>
      <profit/>
      </xml>

  10. Joke, looking for an occasion by PsiPsiStar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Essentially, the state of Massachusetts is simply repositioning what it considers an 'open format.'

    How does Bill Gates screw in a lightbulb?

    He doesn't. He declares darkness the industry standard.

    --

    ___
    It's the end of my comment as I know it and I feel fine.
  11. Re:Massachusettes isn't a state. by PsiPsiStar · · Score: 2, Funny

    ve are revoking yor shtar on de flag and replacing it wish a vite oval dot.

    --

    ___
    It's the end of my comment as I know it and I feel fine.
  12. Re:Many people aren't sensitive to GUI design. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Is that subtle word-play of a sexual nature? If so, i think i know what it could mean, but not really. hmm